U.S. patent application number 13/326164 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-28 for touch input device and electromagnetic-wave transceiver using the same device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. Invention is credited to Byoung Gun Choi, Jung Hwan Hwang, Chang Hee HYOUNG, Sung Weon Kang, Tae Wook Kang, Tae Young Kang, Jin Kyung Kim, Jung Burn Kim, Kyungsoo Kim, Sung Eun Kim, In Gi Lim, Hyung-IL Park, Kyung Hwan Park.
Application Number | 20120162128 13/326164 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46316053 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120162128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HYOUNG; Chang Hee ; et
al. |
June 28, 2012 |
TOUCH INPUT DEVICE AND ELECTROMAGNETIC-WAVE TRANSCEIVER USING THE
SAME DEVICE
Abstract
A touch input device includes: a transparent electrode includes:
a plurality of unit electrodes; a switch configured to reconfigure
an electrical connection state of the transparent electrode; and a
controller configured to control the switch that reconfigures the
electrical connection state of the transparent electrode.
Inventors: |
HYOUNG; Chang Hee; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Kang; Sung Weon; (Daejeon, KR) ; Lim; In
Gi; (Daejeon, KR) ; Park; Hyung-IL; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Kang; Tae Wook; (Daejeon, KR) ; Hwang;
Jung Hwan; (Daejeon, KR) ; Kim; Kyungsoo;
(Daejeon, KR) ; Kim; Jung Burn; (Daejeon, KR)
; Kim; Sung Eun; (Seoul, KR) ; Park; Kyung
Hwan; (Daejeon, KR) ; Choi; Byoung Gun;
(Daegu, KR) ; Kang; Tae Young; (Seoul, KR)
; Kim; Jin Kyung; (Daejeon, KR) |
Assignee: |
Electronics and Telecommunications
Research Institute
Daejeon
KR
|
Family ID: |
46316053 |
Appl. No.: |
13/326164 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/174 ;
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0446 20190501;
G06F 3/0443 20190501; G06F 3/0445 20190501; G06F 2203/04106
20130101; G06F 3/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/174 ;
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/045 20060101
G06F003/045; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0134055 |
Claims
1. A touch input device comprising: a transparent electrode having
a plurality of unit electrodes; a switch configured to reconfigure
an electrical connection state of the transparent electrode; and a
controller configured to control the switch that reconfigures the
electrical connection state of the transparent electrode.
2. The touch input device of claim 1, further comprising a
transceiver electrically connected to the transparent electrode and
configured to transmit and receive a wireless radio frequency
signal through the transparent electrode.
3. The touch input device of claim 1, wherein the controller
controls electrical connection states between the respective unit
electrodes such that the transparent electrode is used to perform
beam forming, when the transceiver transmits and receives a
wireless radio frequency signal through the transparent
electrode.
4. The touch input device of claim 1, wherein the controller
controls electrical connection states between the respective unit
electrodes such that a wireless radio frequency signal is
transmitted and received through a transparent electrode segment
having a length required for transmitting and receiving the
wireless radio frequency signal.
5. The touch input device of claim 1, further comprising a driving
circuit and a sensing circuit which are electrically connected to
the transparent electrode so as to receive a touch input
signal.
6. The touch input device of claim 1, wherein the touch input
device comprises a self-capacitance touch panel.
7. The touch input device of claim 1, wherein the touch input
device comprises a mutual capacitance touch panel.
8. An electromagnetic-wave transceiver using a touch input device,
comprising: a transparent electrode having a plurality of unit
electrodes; a switch configured to reconfigure an electrical
connection state of the transparent electrode; a controller
configured to control the switch that reconfigures the electrical
connection state of the transparent electrode; and a transceiver
electrically connected to the transparent electrode and configured
to transmit and receive a wireless radio frequency signal through
the transparent electrode.
9. The electromagnetic-wave transceiver of claim 8, wherein the
controller controls the switch that reconfigures electrical
connection states between the respective unit electrodes, in order
to transmit and receive a wireless radio frequency signal through
the transceiver.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C
119(a) to Korean Application No. 10-2010-0134055, filed on Dec. 23,
2010 in the Korean intellectual property Office, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety set forth in
full.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a
touch input device, and more particularly, to a touch input device
which is capable of transmitting and receiving an electrical signal
to and from the outside through a transparent electrode used in a
touch screen, and an electromagnetic-wave transceiver using the
same touch screen device.
[0003] Conventionally, an antenna capable of transmitting and
receiving an electromagnetic signal to and from a plurality of
transparent electrodes composing a touch screen has been
independently configured. The plurality of transparent electrodes
composing the touch screen may be formed of a material which has
excellent light transmission and combined with a display device so
as to provide an image to a user. Furthermore, the transparent
electrodes may be formed of a material which has conductivity to
recognize a user's touch.
[0004] In order to sense a user's touch through a capacitance
change, self-capacitance and mutual capacitance touch input devices
are representatively used.
[0005] Furthermore, an antenna which is representatively used as an
element for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic signal is
usually manufactured by using a metallic material or a metal
pattern formed on the surface of a dielectric material.
SUMMARY
[0006] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a touch
input device capable of transmitting and receiving an electrical
signal to and from the outside through a transparent electrode used
in a touch screen and an electromagnetic-wave transceiver using the
same.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a
structure which is configured with a display device and transmits
and receives an electromagnetic signal to and from the outside
through a conductive electrode which is required to receive various
types of inputs such as a user's selection and movement among
contents displayed to a user, using a common characteristic of a
touch screen and an antenna.
[0008] In one embodiment, a touch input device includes: a
transparent electrode includes: a plurality of unit electrodes; a
switch configured to reconfigure an electrical connection state of
the transparent electrode; and a controller configured to control
the switch that reconfigures the electrical connection state of the
transparent electrode.
[0009] The touch input device may further include a transceiver
electrically connected to the transparent electrode and configured
to transmit and receive a wireless radio frequency signal through
the transparent electrode.
[0010] The controller may control electrical connection states
between the respective unit electrodes such that the transparent
electrode is used to perform beam forming, when the transceiver
transmits and receives a wireless radio frequency signal through
the transparent electrode.
[0011] The controller may control electrical connection states
between the respective unit electrodes such that a wireless radio
frequency signal is transmitted and received through a transparent
electrode segment having a length required for transmitting and
receiving the wireless radio frequency signal.
[0012] The touch input device may further include a driving circuit
and a sensing circuit which are electrically connected to the
transparent electrode so as to receive a touch input signal.
[0013] The touch input device may include a self-capacitance touch
panel.
[0014] The touch input device may include a mutual capacitance
touch panel.
[0015] In another embodiment, an electromagnetic-wave transceiver
using a touch input device includes: a transparent electrode
comprising a plurality of unit electrodes; a switch configured to
reconfigure an electrical connection state of the transparent
electrode; a controller configured to control the switch that
reconfigures the electrical connection state of the transparent
electrode; and a transceiver electrically connected to the
transparent electrode and configured to transmit and receive a
wireless radio frequency signal through the transparent
electrode.
[0016] The controller may control the switch that reconfigures
electrical connection states between the respective unit
electrodes, in order to transmit and receive a wireless radio
frequency signal through the transceiver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above and other aspects, features and other advantages
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the operation principle of a
general capacitive touch input device;
[0019] FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams explaining the layer
arrangement and configuration of a general touch input device;
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a general dipole antenna;
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a general patch array antenna;
[0022] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams explaining a touch input device
and an electromagnetic-wave transceiver using the same in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams explaining a touch input device
and an electromagnetic-wave transceiver using the same in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining a portable user device to
which the touch input device in accordance with the embodiment of
the present invention is applied.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, the
embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the operation principle of a
general capacitive touch input device. Although not perceived by a
user, a plurality of transparent electrodes for recognizing a
user's touch are formed over a display.
[0027] FIG. 2A is a diagram of an electrode configuration to
perform a multi-touch function, illustrating the layer arrangement
and configuration of a self-capacitance touch input device. FIG. 2B
is a diagram of an electrode configuration to perform a multi-touch
function, illustrating the layer arrangement and configuration of a
mutual-capacitance touch input device.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a plurality of conductive
electrodes are arranged on the entire surface of a touch
screen.
[0029] Currently, such electrodes are used only as an input unit
for receiving a user's selection by analyzing a capacitance
component which is changed when a user's touch is performed.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a general dipole antenna having a length
proportional to the wavelength of a frequency which is to be
used.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a general patch array antenna.
Transparent electrodes forming the self-capacitance touch input
device of FIG. 2A basically have the shape of a patch antenna, and
transparent electrodes forming the mutual capacitance touch input
device of FIG. 2B have the shape of a dipole antenna. The
transparent electrodes are transparent but have conductivity.
[0032] Using such characteristics, an antenna for wireless
communication may be configured by adding a control circuit to a
touch screen which is manufactured through a semiconductor
process.
[0033] An antenna used in a mobile phone may support a variety of
wireless communication technologies in various bands, such as 1.9
GHz mobile phone, 2.4 GHz Bluetooth and WLAN, and 5.8 GHz WLAN.
Accordingly, a plurality of antennas is required. The current trend
of mobile phones is towards smart phones, and a variety of mobile
terminals such as tablet PCs have been recently launched on the
market. Most of the mobile terminals employ a touch screen which
supports a multi-touch to implement an intuitive interface, and
includes a plurality of transparent electrodes described in this
specification.
[0034] Basically, transparent electrodes composing a touch screen
are formed with a minute size through a semiconductor process such
that a user's touch is better recognized. In order to form a
desired antenna using such transparent electrodes, interconnections
for connecting the respective transparent electrodes at a desired
size are required. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, basic
interconnections are provided, and switches for combining the
interconnections and control circuits for controlling the switches
are additionally provided. Such circuits may be positioned at an
edge of the display so as not to interfere with the visibility of a
user.
[0035] Through such a combination of interconnections, antennas
operating in various frequency bands may be controlled in a
software manner. Furthermore, antennas operating in the same band
may be configured in an array form to increase an antenna gain in
an area where reception is low. Currently, displays of mobile
terminals having a communication function have various sizes from 3
inch to 10 inch. However, although the smallest display is used, a
combination of antennas operating in various bands including a
low-frequency communication may be implemented when transparent
electrodes included in a 3-inch touch screen are used.
[0036] Such an antenna form may implement most of antennas which
are formed in a patch or dipole type, through a combination of
electrodes as illustrated in FIG. 3 or 4. A phase array or beam
forming which may be obtained by using a plurality of antenna may
be implemented through a control circuit.
[0037] In the case of a touch screen using a self capacitor,
electrodes are formed in a rectangular shape. Therefore, various
types of combinations may be implemented through a one-dimension
connection and a two-dimensional connection. In the case of a touch
screen using a mutual capacitor, electrodes are formed in a line
shape, and interconnections are arranged in one side of the touch
screens. Therefore, it is difficult to implement various types of
combinations. However, when interconnections are arranged in both
sides, one line is divided into two parts, and combinations are
configured with various lengths, it is possible to obtain antennas
with various lengths through a control circuit. Furthermore, it is
possible to implement an array.
[0038] When such a method is used, a filter and matching circuit
for smoothly transmitting a signal as well as an antenna may be
implemented. When a high-frequency circuit design principle is
used, transparent electrodes manufactured to obtain a capacitor may
be used as an inductor by a combination through a control circuit.
The characteristics of the capacitor and the inductor may be used
to implement a filter and an impedance matching circuit.
[0039] When such a concept is expanded, a touch screen may be
expanded into an interface of a signal as well as a user's input.
When a wireless communication using a new frequency appears, a
modem and a radio frequency (RF) module may be configured in a
hardware manner through a memory slot of a mobile terminal, and a
new antenna may be configured through a plurality of electrodes
existing in the touch screen. Accordingly, as the expandability of
the mobile terminal increases, the mobile terminal may be used as
one platform.
[0040] For example, when a chip having an RFID function built
therein is mounted in a memory slot and a USIM card of a mobile
phone having no RFID payment function and an antenna is formed in a
display of a mobile phone through a connection of electrodes, a new
service may be used without replacing the mobile phone.
[0041] In order to implement such a structure, the electrodes of
the touch screen may be used together. In this case, however, an
electrical capacity may be changed during signal transmission,
thereby causing a malfunction. Therefore, an off-set control
circuit for correcting the change may be added. Furthermore,
between the respective transparent electrodes for the touch screen,
electrodes for signal transmission may be configured at the same
layer.
[0042] Furthermore, as the antenna and electrodes for signal
transmission are disposed in an area which has not been used, such
as the edge of a mobile terminal, except a display area, the
above-described function may be stably implemented without the
interference between two functions.
[0043] Recently, a variety of wireless power transfer techniques
have been applied to mobile devices. Such techniques use a magnetic
field to transfer power, while having a small effect upon the human
body. For this operation, power transfer devices require a coil. A
coil for wireless power transfer may be configured by using a
reconfigurable electrode or the like. Furthermore, a pattern for
the coil may be formed at the edge of a mobile device.
[0044] The above-described communication technology, a non-contact
service based on wireless communication has been described.
However, a contact service or a near-field communication within
several cm may be used in the form of an electrode.
[0045] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams explaining a touch input device
and an electromagnetic-wave transceiver using the same in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] The touch input device includes a capacitive touch input
panel 10 and a transceiver 20. The touch input panel 10 includes a
transparent electrode 100. The transceiver 20 is electrically
connected to the transparent electrode 100 so as to transmit and
receive a wireless radio frequency signal through the transparent
electrode 100.
[0047] At this time, the touch input panel 10 may include a
self-capacitance touch panel 11 as illustrated in FIG. 5A and a
mutual-capacitance touch panel 12 as illustrated in FIG. 5B.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 5A, when the touch input panel 10 is the
self-capacitance touch panel 11, the transparent electrode 100
includes a plurality of unit electrodes 101 arranged in a matrix
shape. A wireless mobile communication device 1 may include a
controller 30 configured to control the switche that changes the
electrical connection states between the respective unit electrodes
101 such that the transparent electrode 100 is used to perform beam
forming, when the transceiver 20 transmits and receives a wireless
radio frequency signal through the transparent electrode 100.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 5B, when the touch input panel 10 is the
mutual capacitance touch panel 12, the transparent electrode 100
includes a plurality of unit electrodes 101. The wireless mobile
communication device 1 may include a controller 30 configured to
control the switche that changes the electrical connection states
between the respective unit electrodes 101 such that the
transparent electrode 100 is used to perform beam forming, when the
transceiver 20 transmits and receives a wireless radio frequency
signal through the transparent electrode 100. For convenience of
description, FIG. 5B illustrates only the transparent electrode 100
which is extended in a longitudinal direction on one surface of an
insulation substrate. However, the wireless mobile communication
device 1 may further include a transparent electrode which is
extended in a widthwise direction on the other surface of the
insulation surface.
[0050] At this time, the electrical connection states between the
respective unit electrodes 101 may be controlled by turning on/off
switches 102 between the unit electrodes 101. Furthermore, an
analog front end of the transceiver 20 may be connected to one or
more unit electrodes 101.
[0051] Alternatively, the transparent electrode 100 may include a
plurality of unit electrodes 101, and the wireless mobile
communication device 1 may include a controller 30 configured to
control the switche that changes the electrical connection states
between the respective unit electrodes 101 such that a wireless
radio frequency signal is transmitted and received through a
transparent electrode segment 110 having a length required for
transmitting and receiving a wireless radio frequency signal. For
example, referring to FIG. 5A, only three unit electrodes 101 may
be electrically connected to form the transparent electrode segment
110, and the transceiver 20 may apply a high-frequency wireless
communication signal to the segment 110, or a high-frequency
wireless communication signal received through the segment 110 may
be inputted to the transceiver 20. That is, the segment 110 which
is a part of the transparent electrode 100 may serve as a
high-frequency signal antenna. However, the present invention is
not limited to such an example, and the length and shape of the
segment may be set in various manners depending on combinations of
the unit electrodes 101.
[0052] The transceiver 20 and the controller 30 may be implemented
in one chip or different chips.
[0053] Furthermore, the wireless mobile communication device 1 may
further include a driving circuit 200 and a sensing circuit 300
which are electrically connected to the transparent electrode 100
so as to receive a touch input signal.
[0054] The driving circuit 200 and the sensing circuit 300 may be
integrally implemented in one chip or independently implemented in
different chips. The touch input panel 10, the driving circuit 200,
and the sensing circuit 300 for receiving a touch input may be
configured according to the existing well-known technology.
[0055] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams explaining a touch input device
and an electromagnetic-wave transceiver using the same in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a touch input device includes
an interface 40 capable of connecting a transceiver to a
transparent electrode 100. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate that the
interface 40 is directly connected to the unit electrodes 101 of
the transparent electrode 100, but a plurality of switches may be
interposed between the interface 40 and the respective unit
electrodes 101.
[0057] The transparent 100 includes a plurality of unit electrodes
101, and a touch input panel 10 includes one or more switches 102
which are used for reconfiguring the electrical connection states
between the respective unit electrodes 101. The transparent
electrode 100 may be connected to a controller of a wireless mobile
communication device, which controls the operation states of the
switche 102, through the interface 40.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 7, a portable user device in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0059] The portable user device 2 is a portable user device
including a capacitive touch input panel 10 having a transparent
electrode 100, and includes a charger 50 which is electrically
connected to the transparent electrode 100 so as to receive an RF
power signal through the transparent electrode 100. The touch input
panel 10 may be configured in the same manner as illustrated in
FIG. 5A, 5B, 6A, or 6B. The charger 50 may include a power
converter configured to receive an RF power signal through the
transparent electrode 100 and convert the received RF power signal
into a storable signal and/or a battery.
[0060] Hereinafter, a user device in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention will be described. The user
device includes a capacitive touch input panel having a transparent
electrode. At this time, the user device may further include an
electromagnetic-wave transceiver which is electrically connected to
the transparent electrode so as to wirelessly transmit and receive
an electromagnetic wave through the transparent electrode. A
specific example of the user device in accordance with the
embodiment of the present invention may include the wireless mobile
communication device described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0061] In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention,
since the plurality of transparent electrodes used for constructing
a touch screen may be used to implement a reconfigurable antenna,
existing antennas operating in various bands may be replaced, a
gain may be obtained through a combination of antennas operating in
the same band, and a phase array or beam forming may be
implemented. Furthermore, an antenna which may be reconfigured
through software may be used to conveniently apply a new
communication technology to an existing device.
[0062] The embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed
above for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions
are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
* * * * *